Ageism: Across the Lifespan and Everywhere by Sara Mayer, M.A., NCALL Communications Coordinator

Combating Ageism is Combating Abuse by Ann Laatsch, J.D., NCALL Justice System Coordinator

Please use the links beneath the images to access graphics sized for a particular platform. We recommend providing alt text and image descriptions for all images you upload to social media and following guidelines to ensure your posts are accessible to everyone. In addition, it is important to capitalize each word in your hashtags (e.g., #EndAbuseEndAgeism rather than #endabuseendageism) otherwise people using screen readers cannot read them.

Suggested alterative text / image descriptions for these graphics: Multi-color abstract background. White text reads: End Ageism End Abuse. June 15 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

For more information about alternative text and other ways to make your social media accessible to all, visit Tips for Using Accessible Social Media.

Artwork from previous World Elder Abuse Awareness Day campaigns may be found by visiting the NCALL Graphics Library.

We’ve created some posts to share in the weeks and days leading up to World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

• World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15. Promote positive perceptions of aging and challenge ageist norms that sanction elder abuse. #WEAAD #EndAgeismEndAbuse
• This World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, commit to creating awareness of the diversity and complexity of experiences across the lifespan and challenging harmful ageist stereotypes that validate elder abuse. #WEAAD #EndAgeismEndAbuse
• Ageism discredits, diminishes, and devalues older adults. Lift up the voices of older adults and celebrate their stories and resilience. #WEAAD #EndAgeismEndAbuse #ProAging
• Ageist attitudes and stereotypes contribute to negative health outcomes and place older adults at a greater risk for abuse. Amplify accurate information about aging and expose ageism. #WEAAD #EndAgeismEndAbuse #ExposeAgeism
• Expose ageism and challenge stereotypes that portray older adults as frail, vulnerable, and disposable. These harmful beliefs perpetuate discrimination and increase the risk for abuse. #WEAAD #EndAgeismEndAbuse #ExposeAgeism
• Ageism is harmful. Not only is it proven to lead to declines in physical health, mental health, and social well-being, it also creates a culture that ignores and tolerates elder abuse. #WEAAD #EndAgeismEndAbuse
• World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is a time to: educate yourself and others about the challenges faced by older survivors; heighten community awareness of elder abuse; expose ageist ideas and norms; and promote resources and services for older survivors of abuse. #WEAAD #EndAgeismEndAbuse

Download a  PDF of these sample posts.

Elder abuse has a profound effect on millions of older adults as well the people who love and care for them. Older victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and financial exploitation are being harmed every day. Here are a few ways you can raise awareness of elder abuse and support older survivors on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and all year long.

• Provide training or organize conferences and other events about the issue of elder abuse.
• Commit to raising awareness of elder abuse through social and print media and awareness campaigns throughout the year.
• Lift up older survivors’ stories throughout the year by inviting them to speak at an awareness event during Stalking Awareness Month (January), Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April), and Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October).
• Include images of older adults and examples of elder abuse in general education materials and presentations.
• Confront ageist messages in the media by writing editorials or engaging in social media to encourage positive portrayals of older adults and visibility of persons of all ages.
• Create awareness of the diversity and complexity of lives and experiences across the lifespan.
• Involve older adults from diverse backgrounds in a meaningful way in creating, reviewing, and implementing programs and policies.
• Engage the voices of older survivors when working on legislation to enhance protections for victims of elder abuse, domestic violence. financial exploitation, sexual assault, and stalking.

Download a PDF of these tips.

Return to World Elder Abuse Awareness Day home page.